Ratchet device



June 29, 1965 E. B. PARKER 3,

RATCHET DEVICE Filed Dec. 26, 1963 INVENTOR. EARL B. PARKER ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,191,465 RATCHET DEVICE Earl B. Parker,Plainfield, N.J., assignor to Ingersoll- Rand Company, New York, N.Y., acorporation of New Jersey Filed Dec. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 333,577 2Claims. (Cl. 81-5235) This invention relates to ratchet devices and moreparticularly to an improved Wrench.

Heretofore, it has been known that ratchet wrenches when connected to arotary impacting device, an arm or means would be present in the ratchetto translate the rotary motion to reciprocating motion. It was foundthat the means for translating the rotary motion to reciprocating motionwould not perform properly when it was connected to a high speed tool.

It had been thought that a most desirable and convenient ratchet wrenchcould be utilized with an impact tool such as the Ingersoll-RandImpactutter, wherein the tool itself delivers a reciprocating mot-ionrather than a rotary motion. This cooperation of tool and accessorywould be most desirable since a more compact accessory could be utilizedwith a minimum of moving parts.

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcomethe foregoing and other difiiculties of and objections to prior artpractices by the provision of study and-reliable ratchet wrench.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ratchet devicewhich may be connected to a power tool providing reciprocating motion.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ratchetdevice which is more compact than those heretofore used.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a ratchetdevice which is reversible thereby allowing the device to both tightenand loosen fastening means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a ratchet deviceutilizing a minimum number of parts thereby eliminating malfunctions.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a ratchetdevice which may be used in conjunction with high speed power tools.

The aforesaid objects of the present invention, and other objects whichwill become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved byproviding a ratchet device for providing rotary motion at one endthereof in response to reciprocating movement from a power toolconnected thereto. A frame is provided having one end adapted to beconnected to the output end of the power tool, and having a ratchetdisposed in the other end of the frame. The ratchet has a hole thereinto accept a fastening means and an elongated means extends between thepower tool and the ratchet to transmit the reciprocating motion of thepower tool to the ratchet. A pawl is connected to the frame and is incontact with the ratchet and a resilient means is connected to theelongated means to bias the elongated means in the direction of thepower tool.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should behad to the accompanying drawings, wherein line numerals of referenceindicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a representation of the ratchet device as connected to apower tool,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the ratchet device and a portion of thepower tool, and

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the point of connection between theanvil and push rod.

Although the principles of the present invention are broadly applicableto ratchet devices the present invention is particularly adapted for usein conjunction with ratchet wrenches as connected to power tools havinga reciprocating motion at its power delivery end, and hence it has beenso illustrated and will be so described.

With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustratedin the drawings, and referring particulariy to FIG. 2, a ratchet deviceis indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

In order to use the ratcheting device 10, a power tool 12 which deliversa reciprocating motion at its power delivery end 14 is provided. Thepower tool 12 has a barrel 16 and is provided with' a reduced endportion 18 to which the ratching device may be connected.

' Structurally, the' power tool 12 has within the barrel 16 areciprocating piston 20 which is driven in a manner Well known to thoseskilled in the art such that a reciprocating action is present at thepower delivery end 14 and the reduced end portion 18 of the barrel 16.

structurally, the ratcheting device 10 is housed within a frame 22 whichhas ratchet end 24 and a coupling end 26. The ratchet end 24 isrotatably connected to the coupling end 26 such that the ratchet end 24may be rotater when it is so desired.

The rear end 28 of the coupling end 26 of the frame 22 is connected tothe reduced end portion 18 of the barrel, and is held thereon in a fixedposition. The means for attaching the coupling end 26 to the barrel 16is Well known to those skilled in the art and may be accomplished bythreadably mounting the coupling end 26, or by using a keying means.

As shown in FIGURE 2 the coupling end 26 is gen erally shaped like a cuphaving its open end or rear end 28 engaging the reduced end portion 18of the barrel 16; The front end is provided with an aperture 39 throughwhich an extended portion 32 of the ratcheting end 24 may fit. Theextended portion 32 is provided with a retainer ring 34 so that theratchet end cannot be separated from the coupling end 26 and yet theratchet end 24 may be rotated in relation to the fixed coupling end 26.In this connection a retaining ring 34 may be used, or in its place, aplurality of lugs (not shown).

One convenient method of transmitting the reciprocating motion of thepiston 20 to the ratchet end 24 of the frame 22 is to provide an anvil38 which extends through the coupling end 26 of the frame 22 into thebarrel 16 of the power tool 12. The anvil 38 also extends into theratchet end 24 of the frame 22, so that the impacts of the piston 20 onanvil 38 will be transmitted into the ratchet end 24. The end 40 of theanvil 38 which extends iuto the ratchet end 24 is provided with aconcave shape such that a push rod 42, held against the end 40 of theanvil the end of which has a convex shape, will be capable of movingtransverse to the axis of the anvil 318 and push rod 40, therebyproviding a pivot point 44 for the push rod 40.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the push rod 42 is provided with a post 46 whichmay be permanently thereto afiixed in in a manner well known to thoseskilled in the art.

In order to return the push rod 42 and anvil 38 to its position aftersuch have been longitudinally displaced by the piston 20, a spring 48is-connected between the post 46 and a point 50 rearward of the post 46.Consequently when the piston 20 strikes the anvil 38, the anvil 38 movesforward pushing the push rod 42 forward, and expanding the spring 48.After the blow has been struck and the piston 2h withdraws from anvil 38the spring 48 will urge the push rod 42 and anvil 38 back toward thepiston 20.

In order to limit the forward and rearward excursion of the anvil 38,the anvil 38 is provided with a flared portion 51 which is larger thanthe opening 52 through which the anvil 38 is fitted within the barrel 16of the power tool 12. As shown in FIGURE 2 the forward excursion islimited by the contact of the flared portion 51 of the anvil 38 when itcontacts the extended portion 32.

At the front of the ratchet end 24 of the frame 22 there is provided aratchet 56 and holding pawl 54 arrangement which is well known to thoseskilled in the art. The center 58 of ratchet is provided with an opening60 which accommodates the head of a fastening means such as a bolt (notshown) and in fact may be fitted with various fastening and looseningdevices such as a screwdriver, reamer, and the like.

One convenient manner of rotating the ratchet 56 in one direction asshown by the arrow in FIGURE 2 is to provide the push rod 42 with arounded point 62 such that the rounded point 62 fits into the space 64between the teeth 66 of the ratchet 56. The holding pawl 54 is alsoprovided with an element 68 which has a rounded point 70 that fitsbetween teeth 66 and allows rotation of the ratchet 56 in one direction(as shown by the arrow) and prevents rotation in the opposite direction.

It may be seen therefore that when the piston 20 strikes the anvil 38,the anvil 38 will move forward, toward the ratchet 56, forcing the pushrod 42 to move in the same direction. As the pushrod 42 moves forwardthe rounded point 62 fitted in the space 64 between the teeth 66 willforce the ratchet 56 to rotate in the direction of the arrow. It shouldbe noted that as the push rod 42 rotates the ratchet, the front end ofthe push rod moves forwardly and downwardly due to the rotation of theratchet. This downward movement is not deleterious to the life of thepush rod 42 because the push rod will pivot slightly about the pivotpoint 44 between the anvil 38 and push rod 42.

After the push rod 42 has rotated the ratchet 56, the spring 48 willpull the push rod 42 backwardly thereby forcing the anvil backwardly sothat the anvil 38 is ready to accept the next blow of the piston 20.Further, the rounded point 62 is now in the space 64 one tooth back ofits preceding position on the ratchet 56.

Since the push rod 42 pivots about the pivot point 44 there will be nofatiguing of the push rod 42 because the push rod 42 is not exposed tocontinuous flexing, as would be the case in the anvil v38 and push rod42 were one piece.

Furthermore, as previously stated, the ratchet end 24 may be rotated 180so that the ratchet 56 may be used for both tightening and loosening afastening device (not shown) It will be recognized by those skilled inthe art that the objects of the present invention have been achieved byproviding a ratchet device which is compact and sturdy, while employinga minimum number of par-ts for translating the reciprocating motion of apower tool to rotational movement of a ratchet.

While in accordance with the patent statutes a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention has been illustrated and described in detail, itis to be particularly understood that the invention is not limitedthereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. A ratchet attachment for connection to a reciprocatory power tool toprovide rotary movement of a ratchet socket in response to reciprocatorymovement from the output end of said power tool comprising:

(a) a frame havinga rear end portion adapted for dezl'i.

tachable connection to said output end of said power tool and a frontend portion carried by said rear end portion for one-hundred and eightydegree rotation thereon for allowing the ratchet attachment to be usedfor both tightening and loosening a rotatably adjustable fasteningmeans;

(b) a ratchet socket carried by said front end portion of said frame androtatable thereto;

(c) said ratchet socket including circumferentially disposed teeth andhaving an opening therein for receiving said rotatably adjustablefastening means;

(d) an anvil carried. by said rear end portion of said frame and havingan end extending into said output end of said power tool to belongitudinally displaced thereby;

(e) a rod carried by said front end portion of said frame inlongitudinal alignment with said anvil to be longitudinally displacedthereby upon longitudinal displacement of said anvil;

(f) an end of one of said anvil and said rod having a convexly curvedsurface and the adjacent cooperating end of the other of said anvil andsaid rod having a coneavely curved surface ensuring longitudinalalignment of said anvil and said rod when said front end portion of saidframe is rotated one-hundred and eighty degrees on said rear end portionthereof;

(g) said rod having a finger portion adjacent its end opposite to thathaving said curved surface and engaging said teeth upon said ratchetsocket to trans mit reciprocating movement of said power tool intolimited unidirectional movement of said ratchet socket upon longitudinaldisplacement of said rod;

(h) a pawl upon said front end portion of said frame engaging saidratchet socket and restraining rotary movement thereof in a directionopposite to the rotary movement provided by said rod; and

(i) resilient means connected to said rod and urging such away from saidratchet socket.

2. A ratchet attachment according to claim 1 wherein said rear endportion of said frame is threaded to said output end of said power tool.and said anvil carries a circumferential projection which cooperateswith said output end of said power tool and said frame to limitlongitudinal movement of said anvil on said frame.

References (Fited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 6,817 12/75Dean. 2,086,261 7/37 Douglass 81--52.3 2,119,968 6/38 Shah" 8l52.3 X2,210,811 8/40 Kelpsch.

FOREIGN PATENTS 662,409 12/51 Great Britain. 271,901 2/ 30 Italy.

OTHER REFERENCES I 7464, Ib/87b, 10/56, German printed application.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner.

1. A RATCHET ATTACHMENT FOR CONNECTION TO A RECIPROCATORY POWER TOOL TOPROVIDE ROTARY MOVEMENT OF A RATCHET SOCKET IN RESPONSE TO RECIPROCATORYMOVEMENT FROM THE OUTPUT END OF SAID POWER TOOL COMPRISING: (A) A FRAMEHAVING A REAR END PORTION ADAPTED FOR DETACHABLE CONNECTION TO SAIDOUTPUT END OF SAID POWER TOOL AND A FRONT END PORTION CARRIED BY SAIDREAR END PORTION FOR ONE-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DEGREE ROTATION THEREON FORALLOWING THE RATCHET ATTACHMENT TO BE USED FOR BOTH TIGHTENING ANDLOOSENING A ROTATABLY ADJUSTABLE FASTENING MEANS; (B) A RATCHETFASTENING MEANS; OF SAID FRAME AND ROTATABLE THERETO; (C) SAID RATCHETSOCKET INCLUDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY DISPOSED TEETH AND HAVING AN OPENINGTHEREIN FOR RECEIVING SAID ROTATABLY ADJUSTABLE FASTENING MEANS; (D) ANANVIL CARRIED BY SAID REAR END PORTION OF SAID FRAME AND HAVING AN ENDEXTENDING INTO SAID OUTPUT END OF SAID POWER TOOL TO BE LONGITUDINALLYDISPLACED THEREBY; (E) A ROD CARRIED BY SAID FRONT END PORTION OF SAIDFRAME IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID ANVIL TO BE LONGITUDINALLYDISPLACED THEREBY UPON LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID ANVIL; (F) ANEND OF ONE OF SAID ANVIL AND SAID ROD HAVING A CONVEXLY CURVED SURFACEAND THE ADJACENT COOPERATING END OF THE OTHER OF SAID ANVIL AND SAID RODHAVIN A CONCAVELY CURVED SURFACE ENSURING LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT OF SAIDANVIL AND SAID ROD WHEN SAID FRONT END PORTION OF SAID FRAME IS ROTATEDONE-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DEGREES ON SAID REAR END PORTION THEREOF; (G)SAID ROD HAVING A FINGER PORTION ADJACENT ITS END OPPOSITE TO THATHAVING SAID CURVED SURFACE AND ENGAGING SAID TEETH UPON AND RATCHETSOCKET TO TRANSMIT RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT OF SAID POWER TOOL INTOLIMITED UNIDIRECTIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID RATCHET SOCKET UPON LONGITUDINALDISPLACEMENT OF SAID ROD; (H) A PAWL UPON SAID FRONT END PORTION OF SAIDFRAME ENGAGING SAID RATCHET SOCKET AND RESTRAINING ROTARY MOVEMENTTHEREOF IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE ROTARY MOVEMENT PROVIDED BY SAIDROD; AND (I) RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ROD AND URGING SUCH AWAYFROM SAID RATCHET SOCKET.